According to Baltes and Baltes, adults mitigate age-related cognitive decline by employing:

The concept of selective optimization with compensation, established by Baltes and Baltes, describes how aging individuals can adapt and enhance their cognitive functioning despite age-related declines. This approach emphasizes the importance of focusing on and optimizing strengths while compensating for losses in specific cognitive areas.

As individuals age, they may experience declines in certain cognitive abilities, such as processing speed or memory. To counteract these challenges, they engage in selective optimization by prioritizing activities and skills they excel at or find most rewarding. This allows them to maintain a sense of competence and fulfillment. For instance, an older adult might decide to immerse themselves in areas of knowledge they are passionate about or continue engaging in tasks that they can perform well, even if other cognitive functions may be waning.

Compensation comes into play when individuals utilize strategies or tools to help mitigate the impact of decline. This could involve using reminders, assistive technologies, or certain methods that reinforce memory retention. Thus, the combination of optimizing certain abilities while finding effective ways to compensate for weaknesses allows older adults to maintain their cognitive engagement and quality of life.

In summary, selective optimization with compensation presents a comprehensive framework for understanding how adults strategically manage their cognitive strengths and weaknesses in the face of aging.